Estate Planning Basics

ESTATE PLANNING BASICS

We make the process of preparing your estate plan painless without long and complicated forms to fill out. We gather your information by asking you questions and using your information.A quality estate plan includes a trust which you fund with your assets that would be subject to probate if you die without a proper written plan. Probate takes time and money and involves courts. If you own real estate (such as a home), then you need a trust so that your property passes to your heirs without probate.

A quality estate plan allows you to decide in advance how your affairs will be handled when you are unable to do so yourself (who will manage things for you). Without a good plan a judge will make those decisions for you and no guarantee that your wishes are followed.

If you have minor children a quality estate plan will protect your children because you decide who will care for your children and your property. Without the estate plan a court is required to manage your children according to the laws and it may not be what you want.

 A Health Care Directive allows you to state who will make decisions for you regarding emergency medical treatment, or if you are unable to make decisions for yourself. Because life is so unpredictable everyone can benefit from having named in advance someone who can make health and financial decisions for you at the end of your life.

 There are many types of trusts each with their own purposes. Some trusts protect your property from creditors. We can discuss your options after we know your individual situation.